Portsmouth auto business faces $221K in fines for safety violations

PORTSMOUTH — A Monro Muffler Brake store is facing $221,100 in fines for "willful, repeat and serious" safety violations, including exposed electrical wires next to a toilet paper dispenser, according to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

PORTSMOUTH — A Monro Muffler Brake store is facing $221,100 in fines for "willful, repeat and serious" safety violations, including exposed electrical wires next to a toilet paper dispenser, according to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

OSHA alleges the 1801 Woodbury Ave. business was previously warned about some of the health and safety violations, including damaged ladders on site, unsanitary bathroom conditions, a lack of an eyewash station, and a failure to separate canisters of oxygen from fuel gas canisters.

According to OSHA, new violations found by the federal agency during a Nov. 27 inspection included trip hazards in the auto shop area, obstructed emergency exits, improperly stored oil and gas rags, damaged pressure gas regulators, unlabeled electrical panels, an electric cord in use with a missing ground pin, and inaccessible fire extinguishers.

"Willful and recurring violations suggest a disturbing pattern of noncompliance with safety standards that exist to protect the lives and well-being of a company's employees," said Rosemarie Ohar, OSHA's area director. "Monro Muffler Brake must correct these hazards and take effective steps to address recurring hazards at all its workplaces."

Ohar said the "exposed, energized wires" in a bathroom put workers at risk of electrocution and the company didn't correct the hazard after "knowing of its existence from in-house safety inspections."

The Portsmouth business has 15 business days to comply, to meet with OSHA's area director, or to contest the findings, Ohar said. The manager of the local Monro store referred inquiries to Monro's corporate headquarters in New York, where a spokesman said the company had no comment.